in Asia

ASEAN Welcomes East Timor, Asia's Youngest Nation, as 11th Member

Time for infographic artists and geography teachers in the region to update their work on ASEAN.

in Saigon

Into the Infernal Heat of One of Saigon's Last Remaining Forges

It's no exaggeration to say that working in a forge is akin to being in a fiery sauna.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Origin of the Strange Lights You See Before Landing in Saigon

What are those astonishingly bright lights seen from an airplane window when approaching Saigon at night? I’ve had visitors ask me this on the drive home from the airport, and the question appears on Reddit every few months. I remember being befuddled myself the first time I witnessed the patchwork radiance.

in Vietnam

My Mom’s Care Packages Remind Me That Home Can Fit Inside a Box of Food

“What do you guys crave? I’ll send some.”

in Vietnam

New 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in Vietnam

After analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.

in Saigon

As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era

Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.

Khôi Phạm

in Vietnam

Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?

Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s

I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Wants Longer Visa Exemption For European Tourists

Hanoi aims to offer top welfare services by 2020 [Vietnam Plus] HCM City monorail line No 2 gets new costly project quotation [SGGP] Huge FDI projects withdraw from Vietnam and the consequences [Vie...

in Asia

Singapore Refuses Entry, Sends A Number Of Vietnamese Visitors Home Without Explanation

Vietnam will soon ask its Singaporean counterparts for an explanation as to why a number of mostly female passengers were recently denied entry into the country.

in Vietnam

Foreigners In Vietnam Will Be Able To Get International Driving Permits This Year

Vietnam will begin to issue International Driving Permits (IDPs) for locals and foreigners this October.

in Asia

[Video] Massive "Komodo Dragons" Are Crawling Through Bangkok's Sewers

Though Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis, parts of the city have proved to be excellent incubators for wildlife.

in Saigon

Saigon To Get $5.9m River Bus System

Saigon has long neglected the potential of its waterways for public transportation, a trend that the city’s Department of Transportation hopes to reverse with river busses.

in Vietnam

Phu Tho Man Jailed For Stealing His Own Motorbike

Desperation drives people to do unwise things, like breaking out your motorbike from a police garage. Such is the story of Do Son Tung from the northern province of Phu Tho.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Parents Spend $1.8 Billion/Year For Children’s Overseas Studies

Can Tho receives first direct flight from Bangkok [SGGP] Vietnam behind in tourism workforce race in Southeast Asia, experts fear [Thanh Nien] Vietnam plans to end EVN monopoly in power market ...

in Asia

[Video] China Is Transforming Beijing Into A Supercity 10 Times The Size Of Saigon

China is doing away with strict, decades-old policies that sought to limit the size or Beijing, instead putting the wheels in motion to transform the megacity into a supercity capable of supporting a ...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Banks Charging ATM Card Holders 30 Kinds of Fees

Taking a page out of their Western counterparts’ playbooks, Vietnamese banks are now charging ATM cardholders a slew of fees to withdraw funds and maintain their accounts.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: 10 Vietnamese Officials Found Using Fake High School Diplomas For Decades

In Vietnam, collagen makes way into hotpot, sausage as panacea [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Register disciplines corrupt vehicle inspectors in Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to build $2.5 billion seaport...

in Saigon

Vietnam Breaks Ground on Country’s Highest Bridge in Saigon

Work on Phuoc Khanh Bridge began in Saigon last Saturday, which, once completed, will have the highest vertical clearance of any bridge in Vietnam.

in Vietnam

Da Nang Threatens To Close Coca-Cola Factory For Dumping Raw Sewage

Coca-Cola is stirring up controversy yet again in Vietnam, with Da Nang threatening to close down its factory following complaints that the multinational corporation has been dumping untreated waste i...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Dismisses Report Of Defense Minister’s Death

Decree could hasten old building refurbishment [SGGP] Police to install cameras on expressways [Vietnam Plus] Educators urge more training for English-language teachers [Vietnam News]

in Vietnam

Marriage Interviews To Be Scrapped For Vietnamese-Foreigner Couples

If the Ministry of Justice gets its way, marriage interviews for Vietnamese-foreigner couples.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Police Probe Elevator Free Fall That Injures 10 People At Da Nang Luxury Hotel

Police probe elevator free fall that injures 10 people at Da Nang luxury hotel [Thanh Nien] 3 policemen jailed for protecting illegal casinos in southern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Lao Cai ranked in top 1...

in Vietnam

[Photos] Hanoi’s 122-Year-Old Long Bien Bridge Getting Major Overhaul

Repairs to Hanoi’s historic Long Bien Bridge are underway with the aim of both making the structure safer for pedestrians and drivers.

in Asia

Chinese Island Building Destroying Fragile East Sea Ecosystem: Expert

While the geopolitical fracas in the East Sea has strained diplomatic relations between China and its neighbors, more than just regional stability is at stake.

in Saigon

Saigon Embarks On Slum Demolishing Spree

Saigon has come a long way when it comes to removing the slums that once lined nearly every intercity waterway, but tens of thousands of dwellings still remain. As the city pushes ahead with moderniza...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Those Urinating At Da Nang Beaches To Be Fined Up To $14

Google appoints new Head of Marketing in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Ha Noi cracks down on unhygienic slaughterhouses [VNS] Deputy PM holds talks with Chinese Vice Premier [Vietnam Plus]

in Asia

[Photos] 32 Of The Most Ridiculously Mistranslated Shirts You Can Find In Asia

Pick any country in Asia and you’re likely to find a treasure trove of clothes with some seriously lost in translation English phrases.